Major Religious Movements
Oneness or Apostolic Pentecostalism
There is an ever-increasing and expanding movement within the American church scene. This movement is called Oneness Pentecostalism or otherwise known as the Oneness movement. The two main groups that teach Oneness theology in America are the UPC, United Pentecostal Church international (this is the largest) and the UAC, the United Apostolic Church. There are also independent Oneness churches such as the assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible way churches of our Lord Jesus Christ, to name a few. There are several smaller independent churches throughout the United States that teach and hold to Oneness and principles. In this article we will be discussing the basic tenants and teachings of the Oneness Pentecostal theology. Just as with any false teaching and religious group we must approach those in Oneness Pentecostalism with love and respect, just as Christ would. As followers of Christ if we want to reach them with the truth we cannot beat them with it.
The basis of Pentecostal theology affirms that there is one God and the entire universe. They also affirm the deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. However, they deny the existence of the Trinity. The Trinity is the teaching that there is one God manifested Himself as three distinct simultaneous persons. The Trinity is not the teaching that there is three separate gods only one. This distinction in what the Trinity is and what it is not is very important because many of the groups who oppose orthodoxy, will accuse Trinitarians of believing in three separate gods which is not the case; i.e. Muslims . The doctrine of the Trinity is that there is one God in three persons.
Oneness theology denies the existence of the Trinity instead it teaches that God was a single person who was "manifested as a Father in creation and is the Father son, in the Son for our redemption, and is the Holy Spirit in our regeneration." [1] Another way of looking at this is that God revealed Himself first in the Old Testament. Then He revealed Himself again in the New Testament as Jesus Christ during Christ's ministry on earth. Ainally He is now revealing Himself as the Holy Spirit for us today.
Another big area that Oneness Pentecostal was veer from Christian orthodoxy is in the area of baptism. They teach that it is necessary for your Salvation to be baptized; that in order to be saved; one must be baptized by full immersion. But the un-Orthodox and un-biblical approach does not stop there to their teaching of baptism for salvation. If you are not baptized with the administration of the words "IN JESUS NAME" then you are truly not saved. This final attachment to baptism is done contrary to what the Bible states in Matthew 28:19 where it is stated "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit". In one final note on baptism unless you are baptized by unofficial minister of the church your baptism does not count again this is not what is found in the Bible any believer can baptized another believer.
Another salvation issue with the Oneness Pentecostals comes in the area of the spiritual gifts. They believe that unless a person talks in tongues that they are not fully saved and that they are without the Holy Spirit. Oneness groups also hold to the Arminian doctrine of theology believing that one can lose their salvation. Which is not the view point of Empowered by Christ, we believe that once you are called of God to Salvation you are His and can not be taken from Him. In other words you can not lose your salvation according to the bible in Phil. 1:29, John 1:12-13, John 6:28-29, and Acts 13:48.
When you have the opportunity to witness to an Oneness person you will find that they are very morally correct people holding themselves to a high standard of morals and holiness. This level of holiness is taught in the church. They teach that unless you hold yourself to high standards and keep yourself clean you could lose your salvation. This is not to say as Christians we should not try to live a holy indecently strive for sanctification. We should however not be striving for our sanctification because we want to work for our salvation but be striving for our sanctification before the Lord because we have Christ in us. Oneness preacher's will strongly encourage their congregations not to participate in going to movies, wearing makeup, or even watching TV shows for this might cause one to stumble and fall and lose their salvation is. This begs the question if one’s salvation is not in Christ alone then what are you doing to keep your salvation. This type of teaching by Oneness churches can logically lead one to a lifestyle of legalism and cult like behavior.
Below I have listed the teachings that are within orthodoxy of Christianity and that are outside the parameters of Orthodox within Christianity. I have listed these for a quick reference guide, so that you may compare what Oneness Pentecostals teach compared to mainline Christianity.
Orthodox Beliefs
Non-Orthodox Teachings
[1] http://www.u slut Martian pci.org/about/index.asp.
The basis of Pentecostal theology affirms that there is one God and the entire universe. They also affirm the deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. However, they deny the existence of the Trinity. The Trinity is the teaching that there is one God manifested Himself as three distinct simultaneous persons. The Trinity is not the teaching that there is three separate gods only one. This distinction in what the Trinity is and what it is not is very important because many of the groups who oppose orthodoxy, will accuse Trinitarians of believing in three separate gods which is not the case; i.e. Muslims . The doctrine of the Trinity is that there is one God in three persons.
Oneness theology denies the existence of the Trinity instead it teaches that God was a single person who was "manifested as a Father in creation and is the Father son, in the Son for our redemption, and is the Holy Spirit in our regeneration." [1] Another way of looking at this is that God revealed Himself first in the Old Testament. Then He revealed Himself again in the New Testament as Jesus Christ during Christ's ministry on earth. Ainally He is now revealing Himself as the Holy Spirit for us today.
Another big area that Oneness Pentecostal was veer from Christian orthodoxy is in the area of baptism. They teach that it is necessary for your Salvation to be baptized; that in order to be saved; one must be baptized by full immersion. But the un-Orthodox and un-biblical approach does not stop there to their teaching of baptism for salvation. If you are not baptized with the administration of the words "IN JESUS NAME" then you are truly not saved. This final attachment to baptism is done contrary to what the Bible states in Matthew 28:19 where it is stated "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit". In one final note on baptism unless you are baptized by unofficial minister of the church your baptism does not count again this is not what is found in the Bible any believer can baptized another believer.
Another salvation issue with the Oneness Pentecostals comes in the area of the spiritual gifts. They believe that unless a person talks in tongues that they are not fully saved and that they are without the Holy Spirit. Oneness groups also hold to the Arminian doctrine of theology believing that one can lose their salvation. Which is not the view point of Empowered by Christ, we believe that once you are called of God to Salvation you are His and can not be taken from Him. In other words you can not lose your salvation according to the bible in Phil. 1:29, John 1:12-13, John 6:28-29, and Acts 13:48.
When you have the opportunity to witness to an Oneness person you will find that they are very morally correct people holding themselves to a high standard of morals and holiness. This level of holiness is taught in the church. They teach that unless you hold yourself to high standards and keep yourself clean you could lose your salvation. This is not to say as Christians we should not try to live a holy indecently strive for sanctification. We should however not be striving for our sanctification because we want to work for our salvation but be striving for our sanctification before the Lord because we have Christ in us. Oneness preacher's will strongly encourage their congregations not to participate in going to movies, wearing makeup, or even watching TV shows for this might cause one to stumble and fall and lose their salvation is. This begs the question if one’s salvation is not in Christ alone then what are you doing to keep your salvation. This type of teaching by Oneness churches can logically lead one to a lifestyle of legalism and cult like behavior.
Below I have listed the teachings that are within orthodoxy of Christianity and that are outside the parameters of Orthodox within Christianity. I have listed these for a quick reference guide, so that you may compare what Oneness Pentecostals teach compared to mainline Christianity.
Orthodox Beliefs
- They believe that there is one God of the universe.
- They do believe in the inerrancy of God's word (which is ironic considering how they twist scriptures).
- They teach that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary.
- They believe that Jesus had two natures while he was here on Earth during his ministry.
- They teach justification by faith (however this tends towards legalism-twisting scriptures).
- They teach baptism by immersion (however they keep this as a requirement for salvation).
- They do practice the correct form of communion that is for believers only.
- They do teach and believe in the rapture of Christians.
Non-Orthodox Teachings
- They do not believe in the Trinity. Believing that God manifested himself three times in three different people.
- There doctrine teaches that baptism is a requirement for salvation.
- They teach that the name of God is "Jesus".
- They deny the preexistence of the word as the Son. Thus that He only existed as the father
- Salvation must be obtained through repentance, baptism, and speaking in tongues.
- Baptism must be conducted by an ordained leader of the church or it is invalid and it must include the phrase "IN THE NAME OF JESUS".
- They also hold to the doctrine that women may be pastors.
- And finally they believe that only oneness people will be going to heaven that all other churches are corrupt and that they are the truly saved people.
[1] http://www.u slut Martian pci.org/about/index.asp.
